Most interesting and difficult problems in equilibrium statistical mechanics concern models which exhibit phase transitions. For graduate students and more experienced researchers this book provides an invaluable reference source of approximate and exact solutions for a comprehensive range of such models. Part I contains background material on classical thermodynamics and statistical mechanics…
Despite more than half a century of theoretical work, the Casimir effect is still not as fully understood as some suppose. In this treatise, the author uncovers new puzzles and paradoxes concerning this mysterious phenomenon. In particular, he clearly demonstrates that the most sophisticated theories fail when confronted with dielectrics in which the refractive index is not uniform but graduall…
Il testo costituisce una introduzione alla teoria delle equazioni a derivate parziali, strutturata in modo da abituare il lettore ad una sinergia tra modellistica e aspetti teorici. La prima parte riguarda le più note equazioni della fisica-matematica, idealmente raggruppate nelle tre macro-aree diffusione, propagazione e trasporto, onde e vibrazioni. Nella seconda parte si presenta la formula…
This text covers all aspects of the current diagnosis and treatment of acute cholecystitis. Different diagnostic tests are discussed as well as the preoperative evaluation needed to initiate treatment. Other sections include the management of acute cholecystitis in the critically ill and elderly patients, recent advances in operative strategies that have further altered the treatment of acute c…
The present volume aims to be a comprehensive survey on the derivation of the equations of motion, both in General Relativity as well as in alternative gravity theories. The topics covered range from the description of test bodies, to self-gravitating (heavy) bodies, to current and future observations. Emphasis is put on the coverage of various approximation methods (e.g., multipolar, post-N…
This superbly illustrated book on the surgical treatment of pediatric colorectal problems focuses in particular on the specific technical maneuvers that may be considered key to successful results. The presented management concepts are based on a database comprising over 5000 patients, more than 2300 of whom have been operated on by one of the authors as lead surgeon over the past 30 years. The…
This new edition presents information and knowledge on the field of biomedical devices and surgical tools. The authors look at the interactions between nanotechnology, nanomaterials, design, modeling, and tools for surgical and dental applications, as well as how nanostructured surfaces can be created for the purposes of improving cell adhesion between medical devices and the human body. Each o…
Featuring contributions from industry and academia, this volume includes chapters covering a diverse range of theoretical and empirical aspects of actuarial science and quantitative finance, including portfolio management, derivative valuation, risk theory and the economics of insurance. Developed from the First International Congress on Actuarial Science and Quantitative Finance, held at the U…
Activity Theory in Education: Research and Practice brings together cutting-edge scholars from a number of continents. Through in-depth case studies the authors highlight how Activity Theory is used in education and discuss the theoretical as well as pragmatic use of Activity Theory frameworks in a range of contemporary learning contexts. The first section of the book focuses on empirical resea…
This book is aimed at the reader who wishes to gain a working knowledge of time series and forecasting methods as applied to economics, engineering and the natural and social sciences. It assumes knowledge only of basic calculus, matrix algebra and elementary statistics. This third edition contains detailed instructions for the use of the professional version of the Windows-based computer pack…